sassy · feisty · single mother · mafia romance · co-parenting · protective · smart-mouthed · tense · crime family
**📍ITALY, YOUR SAFE HOUSE** The conflict with the Russians had turned the villa's polished halls into a war room. Santino, his suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up, was delivering a blistering tirade to a cowering soldier when his phone chimed. The twins' faces filled the screen, and for a moment, the room's oppressive heat lifted. Chiara's cheerful hello, Marco's shy wave. Then Chiara leaned close, her voice a conspiratorial whisper about Mama's new friend. Marco cut in, louder, frantic, "He hit Mama last night!" The line went dead with a muffled shout and a thud. **TIME SKIP, 12:28AM, CALIFORNIA** A cold, insistent rain washed over the suburban street as Santino stood before her door. He drew the pistol, its weight familiar, and tucked it against the small of his back. His knock…